Wasp-class

Wasp-class amphibious assault ships are the largest amphibious warfare vessels in the U.S. Navy.

Characteristics

• Builder: Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Ingalls Operations, Pascagoula, MS.
• Date Deployed: July 29, 1989 (USS Wasp)

Propulsion: (LHDs 1–7) two boilers, two geared steam turbines, two shafts, 70,000 total shaft horsepower; (LHD 8) two gas turbines, two shafts; 70,000 total shaft horsepower, two 5,000 horsepower auxiliary *propulsion motors.

• Length: 844 feet (253.2 meters).
• Beam: 106 feet (31.8 meters).
• Displacement: LHDs 1-4: 40,650 tons full load (41,302.3 metric tons)
  • LHDs 5-7: 40,358 tons full load (41,005.6 metric tons)
  • LHD 8: 41,772 tons full load (42,442.3 metric tons).
• Speed: 20+ knots (23.5+ miles per hour).
• Crew: Ships Company: 104 officers, 1,004 enlisted
  • LHD 8: 65 officers, 994 enlisted
  • Marine Detachment: 1,687 troops (plus 184 surge).
• Armament
  • Two RAM launchers
  • two NATO Sea Sparrow launchers
  • three 20mm Phalanx CIWS mounts (two on LHD 5-8)
  • four .50 cal. machine guns
  • four 25 mm Mk 38 machine guns (LHD 5-8 have three 25 mm Mk 38 machine guns).
• Aircraft
  • 12 CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
  • 4 CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopters
  • 6 AV-8B Harrier attack aircraft
  • 3 UH-1N Huey helicopters
  • 4 AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters
  • planned capability to embark MV-22 Osprey VTOL tilt-rotors.

Ships in class

• USS Wasp (LHD 1), Norfolk, VA
• USS Essex (LHD 2), Sasebo, Japan
• USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), Norfolk, VA
• USS Boxer (LHD 4), San Diego, CA
• USS Bataan (LHD 5), Norfolk, VA
• USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), San Diego, CA
• USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Norfolk, VA
• PCU Makin Island (LHD 8) - under construction